Door latch operator mount

Abstract

A door latch operator mount comprises a coupling member and a bearing member. The coupling member includes a plurality radial flanges and an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member. The coupling member is mounted to a door for receiving the bearing member. The bearing member has an opening for rotatably receiving a shaft of the latch operator. The bearing member also includes a plurality of flanges and an arcuate channel which tapers in depth. When the bearing member is positioned against the coupling member, the distance of the bearing member flanges from the surface of the coupling member is less than the distance of the coupling member flanges form the surface. The tab member is received in the deeper portion of the arcuate channel. Upon relative rotation, a shoulder on the tab member seats in a notch in the shallower portion of the channel and the bearing member flanges are positioned between the surface of the coupling member and the coupling member flanges. The tab member is urged inward creating a force biasing the bearing member outwardly away from the coupling member and forcing the respective flanges against one another. The bearing member is thus secured to the coupling member and the latch operator is mounted to the door for operative connection to a latch retraction mechanism. A tool is provided for releasably engaging the bearing member enabling rotation of the bearing member relative to the coupling member.

We claim:  
     
       1. An apparatus for operably mounting a door latch operator to a door for use with a door latch mounted within the door, the door latch including a latch bolt and a latch bolt retraction mechanism accessible through a transverse opening in the door, the latch operator having a shaft portion for operative connection to the latch bolt retraction mechanism for moving the latch bolt from a projected position extending beyond a free edge of the door to a retracted position within the door upon actuation of the latch retraction mechanism by the latch operator, the latch operator mounting apparatus comprising: 
       a coupling member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening, the coupling member adapted to be non-rotatably mounted relative to the door so that the inner surface is against the door and the opening in the coupling member is in registry with the transverse opening in the door, the coupling member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported a first distance transversely outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, and  
       an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, the tab member having at a distal end thereof a shoulder extending outwardly of the surface of the tab member; and  
       a bearing member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening for rotatably receiving the shaft portion of the latch operator for supporting the rotation of the latch operator relative to the door about the shaft axis, the bearing member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported spaced from the inner surface of the bearing member so that when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the mounting plate the distance of the bearing member flanges from the outer surface of the mounting plate is less than the first distance, and  
       an arcuate channel formed in the inner surface of the bearing member which tapers in depth from a first deeper portion to a second shallower portion and having a notch in the shallower portion,  
       wherein, when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the coupling member in a first position, the coupling member flanges are angularly spaced from the bearing member flanges and the tab member is received in the arcuate channel so that the distal end of the tab member is in the first deeper portion of the channel, and, when the so positioned coupling member and bearing member are rotated relative to one another in the direction of the decreasing depth of the channel to a second position where the shoulder on the tab member seats in the notch in the second shallower portion of the channel, the bearing member flanges are positioned between the outer surface of the coupling member and the coupling member flanges and the tab member is urged toward the outer surface of the coupling member creating a force biasing the bearing member outwardly away from the coupling member and forcing the bearing member flanges against the coupling member flanges whereby the bearing member is rotationally and axially secured relative to the coupling member and the latch operator is rigidly mounted to the door for operative connection to the latch retraction mechanism.  
     
     
       2. The door latch operator mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tab member is formed in the periphery of the coupling member. 
     
     
       3. The door latch operator mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member and oppositely disposed on the coupling member from the first tab member, and a second arcuate channel formed in the inner surface of the bearing member corresponding to the second tab member. 
     
     
       4. The door latch operator mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the tab members are formed in the periphery of the coupling member. 
     
     
       5. The door latch operator mounting apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a circular boss extending transversely inwardly from the inner surface of the bearing member defines the opening in the bearing member and the bearing member flanges extend radially from the boss. 
     
     
       6. A door latch for use with a door having first and second major surfaces and a transverse opening formed adjacent the free edge of the door, the latch comprising: 
       a housing adapted to be disposed in the door for accommodating the latch components;  
       a latch bolt disposed in the housing for movement between a projected position extending beyond the free edge of the door and a retracted position within the door;  
       means for moving the latch bolt from the projected position to the retracted position upon actuation the latch bolt moving means;  
       a coupling member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening, the coupling member adapted to be non-rotatably mounted relative to the door so that the inner surface is against a major surface of the door and the opening in the coupling member is in registry with the transverse opening in the door, the coupling member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported a first distance transversely outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, and  
       an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, the tab member having at a distal end thereof a shoulder extending outwardly of the surface of the tab member;  
       a latch operator having a shaft portion;  
       a bearing member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening for rotatably receiving the shaft portion of the latch operator for supporting the rotation of the latch operator about the shaft axis, the bearing member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported spaced from the inner surface of the bearing member so that when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the mounting plate the distance of the bearing member flanges from the outer surface of the mounting plate is less than the first distance, and  
       an arcuate channel formed in the inner surface of the bearing member which gradually tapers in depth from a first deeper portion to a second shallower portion and having a notch in the shallower portion,  
       wherein, when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the coupling member in a first position, the coupling member flanges are angularly spaced from the bearing member flanges and the tab member is received in the arcuate channel so that the distal end of the tab member is in the first deeper portion of the channel, and, when the so positioned coupling member and bearing member are rotated relative to one another in the direction of the decreasing depth of the channel to a second position where the shoulder on the tab member seats in the notch in the second shallower portion of the channel, the bearing member flanges are positioned between the outer surface of the coupling member and the coupling member flanges and the tab member is urged toward the outer surface of the coupling member creating a force biasing the bearing member outwardly away from the coupling member and forcing the bearing member flanges against the coupling member flanges whereby the bearing member is rotationally and axially secured relative to the coupling member and the latch operator is rigidly mounted to the door to the door and operably connected to the latch bolt moving means for retraction of the latch bolt upon rotation of the latch operator about the shaft axis.  
     
     
       7. A door latch as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the end of the shaft portion extending beyond the inner surface of the bearing member has a circumferential groove for receiving a clip having a wider diameter than the shaft portion for axially securing the shaft portion relative to the bearing member. 
     
     
       8. A door latch as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the coupling member is fastened to the housing. 
     
     
       9. A door latch as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the latch operator is a lever handle. 
     
     
       10. A door latch as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the latch operator is a knob. 
     
     
       11. A door latch as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a second latch operator adapted to be rotatably positioned on the other major surface of the door, and wherein the coupling member is secured to the second latch operator through the housing. 
     
     
       12. A passageway comprising: 
       a door having first and second major surfaces and a transverse opening formed adjacent the free edge of the door,  
       a latch mechanism disposed in the door adjacent the free edge of the door, the latch mechanism including  
       a housing for accommodating the components of the latch mechanism,  
       a latch bolt disposed in the housing for movement between a projected position extending beyond the free edge of the door and a retracted position within the door, and  
       means for moving the latch bolt from the projected position to the retracted position upon actuation of the latch bolt moving means, the latch bolt moving means being disposed in the housing and accessible through the transverse opening in the door;  
       a coupling member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening, the coupling member adapted to be non-rotatably mounted relative to the door so that the inner surface is against a major surface of the door and the opening in the coupling member is in registry with the transverse opening in the door, the coupling member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported a first distance transversely outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, and  
       an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, the tab member having at a distal end thereof a shoulder extending outwardly of the surface of the tab member;  
       a latch operator having a shaft portion;  
       a bearing member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening for rotatably receiving the shaft portion of the latch operator for supporting the rotation of the latch operator relative to the door about the shaft axis, the bearing member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported spaced from the inner surface of the bearing member so that when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the mounting plate the distance of the bearing member flanges from the outer surface of the mounting plate is less than the first distance, and  
       an arcuate channel formed in the inner surface of the bearing member which gradually tapers in depth from a first deeper portion to a second shallower portion and having a notch in the shallower portion,  
       wherein, when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the coupling member in a first position, the coupling member flanges are angularly spaced from the bearing member flanges and the tab member is received in the arcuate channel so that the distal end of the tab member is in the first deeper portion of the channel, and, when the so positioned coupling member and bearing member are rotated relative to one another in the direction of the decreasing depth of the channel to a second position where the shoulder on the tab member seats in the notch in the second shallower portion of the channel, the bearing member flanges are positioned between the outer surface of the coupling member and the coupling member flanges and the tab member is urged toward the outer surface of the coupling member creating a force biasing the bearing member outwardly away from the coupling member and forcing the bearing member flanges against the coupling member flanges whereby the bearing member is rotationally and axially secured relative to the coupling member and the latch operator is rigidly mounted to the door and operably connected to the latch bolt moving means for retraction of the latch bolt upon rotation of the latch operator about the shaft axis.  
     
     
       13. A passageway as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the latch operator is a lever handle. 
     
     
       14. A passageway as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the latch operator is a knob. 
     
     
       15. A door latch as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the coupling member is fastened to the door. 
     
     
       16. A kit for mounting a door latch operator to a door for use with a door latch mounted within the door, the door latch including a latch bolt and a latch bolt retraction mechanism accessible through a transverse opening in the door, the latch operator having a shaft portion for operative connection to the latch bolt retraction mechanism for moving the latch bolt from a projected position extending beyond a free edge of the door to a retracted position within the door upon actuation of the latch retraction mechanism by the latch operator, the door latch operator mounting kit comprising: 
       a coupling member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening, the coupling member adapted to be non-rotatably mounted relative to the door so that the inner surface is against the door and the opening in the coupling member is in registry with the transverse opening in the door, the coupling member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported a first distance transversely outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, and  
       an integral resilient arcuate tab member projecting angularly outwardly of the outer surface of the coupling member, the tab member having at a distal end thereof a shoulder extending outwardly of the surface of the tab member;  
       a bearing member having an inner surface and an outer surface and an opening for rotatably receiving the shaft portion of the latch operator for supporting the rotation of the latch operator relative to the door about the shaft axis, the bearing member including  
       a plurality of radial flanges supported spaced from the inner surface of the bearing member so that when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the mounting plate the distance of the bearing member flanges from the outer surface of the mounting plate is less than the first distance, and  
       an arcuate channel formed in the inner surface of the bearing member which tapers in depth from a first deeper portion to a second shallower portion and having a notch in the shallower portion; and  
       a tool for releasably engaging the bearing member and, when engaged with the bearing member, enabling rotation of the bearing member relative to the coupling member so that, when the inner surface of the bearing member is positioned against the outer surface of the coupling member in a first position, the coupling member flanges are angularly spaced from the bearing member flanges and the tab member is received in the arcuate channel so that the distal end of the tab member is in the first deeper portion of the channel, and, when the so positioned coupling member and bearing member are rotated relative to one another by the tool in the direction of the decreasing depth of the channel to a second position where the shoulder on the tab member seats in the notch in the second shallower portion of the channel, the bearing member flanges are positioned between the outer surface of the coupling member and the coupling member flanges and the tab member is urged toward the outer surface of the coupling member creating a force biasing the bearing member outwardly away from the coupling member and forcing the bearing member flanges against the coupling member flanges whereby the bearing member is rotationally and axially secured relative to the coupling member and the latch operator is rigidly mounted to the door for operative connection to the latch retraction mechanism.  
     
     
       17. A door latch operator mounting kit as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the bearing member is circular in cross-section and has a radial opening formed in the periphery, and the tool comprises 
       a handle portion; and  
       a gripping portion having at least a partial arcuate shape for receiving the bearing member and a detent extending radially inwardly for insertion into the radial opening in the periphery of the bearing member for non-rotatable engagement of the tool with the bearing member.  
     
     
       18. A door latch operator mounting kit as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising a rose scalp which fits over the outer surface of the bearing member, the rose scalp having an opening in the periphery for alignment with the opening in the periphery of the bearing member.